November 13, 2008

Postcard Cuties


I was so sorry to have missed this fabulous day at Elaine's but my motherly/nurse duties were needed at home. I missed everyone and look forward to next month. I do have a show-n-tell that I finished this week. It is called Postcard Cuties and the pattern is by bunny Hill. It was so much fun to make. See you all next month.

Michelle

November 12, 2008

November Quilt Day

This month it was Elaine's turn to have our quilt group at her house. As usual, it was FABULOUS! We had a fun time....even though we were missing some of our friends that were not able to come. Heidi, Michelle, and Andie...we missed you! Lucky for us Kim came at the last minute. We can't laugh without her there!

Now....a little about Elaine. She moved here from Utah and I am sure it took her a while to get use to the Arizona weather.....I kinda think she still misses Utah a lot! We're glad she is here, though, because she has added a new dimension to our quilt group. She is an experienced quilter and always does the most darling things.....really, we all want to copy her! She always has such good advice to give and is always sooooo helpful..... and Becky.....I know you love her!

Here's a little peek into our day!

Like I said.....Elaine is a fabulous quilter. Her quilts are definitely treasures. This one was soooo cute! I wish I had taken a close-up picture of her border and binding. The border is scalloped and she inserted ric-rack in the binding.

These aprons she made for her daughters were absolutely the cutest! Her fabric combinations were so fun. I just thought they were pretty dang fashionable for the kitchen girls! Hmmmm gotta try them for myself!


The back of this apron.....the cutest!

My goal lately is to use up some of my scraps. My sewing room is just way too cluttered with fabric....and of course....I need to buy some more! Soooo I am trying to come up with some quilts that use up some of these scraps! Actually, I love this quilt....made up of 30's reproduction fabrics. Almost done!

Marene always has something to show for herself. This quilt was so complicated! It is all appliqued. She is one of our quilters that quilts our quilts when we are finished piecing them. She is so talented! This Christmas quilt is a masterpiece!
Carol is working on a Star Quilt. Several of us made this quilt. It is so fun to make and turns out so cute. By the end....you need a rest from making stars!

Marae made these fall kitchen towels for her Visiting Teachers. Michelle (her daughter) had made some last month and she just had to try them. Actually....it is such a cute gift idea and so quick to make for a Holiday.

Just a word about this quilt....Kim is making it as a favor for her sister-in-law. The fabrics in this quilt came from blouses that were worn by her sister-in-law's Grandmother. The squares have been hand-pieced. Kim is sewing them together and then the quilt will be given as a gift to the daughter. (Does that make sense?) Anyway....it is cute and old-fashioned!

Marae gave us a lesson on our upcoming quilt group project. We are all making an American Jane Pattern from Jelly Rolls. She has begun to sew hers together and she gave us some hints on pressing the seams in certain directions to make your block turn out well......thanks Marae!

Whoever hosts our quilt group also fixes us lunch. Luckily, this is only once a year. Pressure, pressure....what's for lunch? Elaine made a delicious chili. I am posting the recipe. She obtained this recipe from a restaurant in Galesberg, Illinois called "The Jumping Bean." (Elaine...feel free to correct me!) It is called "Mom's Famous Santa Fe Chili" Yummmmm! It was truly delicious. We had cornbread with honey butter and a salad. Dessert, well....a picture is worth a thousand words!



What an absolutely fun day we had at Elaine's home. I have made such incredible friends and appreciate their company so much. We always have something to learn from each other. We appreciate each other's talents and hopefully share ours. I love to sit and visit, laugh, eat and marvel over the creativity and knowledge that my friends have. I love it! They are truly a light in my life!!!

Enjoy this recipe! Thanks Elaine!

Mom's Famous Santa Fe Chili

3 lbs Hamburger
1/2 pound bacon (chopped)
1 teasp. garlic (fresh, chopped)
1/4 to 1/2 cup chili powder (yes, cup)
3/4 T. Cumin
3 fresh Jalapenos (cored and seeded)

1 cup Kidney Beans
1/2 cup Black Beans
1/2 cup Pinto Beans
*Soak these overnight, then cook until tender

1 1/4 quart Beef Broth
1 yellow onion
3 green peppers

Cook and drain bacon. Cook onion, green pepper, garlic and beef until done. Drain all grease. Add bacon and other ingredients. Simmer 1 hour.

Serve with cheese, cour cream and chopped jalapenos